Islam and European Legal Systems

The presence of large numbers of Muslims within their borders is a relatively new phenomenon for most European states which introduces a radically different way of viewing the world and forces liberal states to reassess their own liberalism. This book explores the varying legal reactions throughout Europe to the rise of Islam. Essays on the legal systems of the leading European jurisdictions are complemented by others on general issues arising out of the impact of Islam in Europe on traditional concepts within European legal systems. In assessing how countries do and should react to demands from muslims within their borders, the relationship between religion and law is brought into question. The position of Muslims within non-Muslim European states is destined to become a key legal issue, not only for Muslims themselves, but for all religious minorities.

The Shar a between particularism and universality, Salah Eddine Ben Abid; the new European Islam, Felice Dasetto; the legal status of Islam in Spain, Javier Martinez-Torron; the legal status of Islam in Belgium, Riks Torfs; the legal status of Islam in France, Bridgitte Basdevant-Gaudement; the legal status of Islam in the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Sophie C. van Bijsterveld; the legal status of Islam in Germany, Gerhard Robbers; the Islamic presence in Italy - social rootedness and legal questions, Stefano Allievi and Francesco Castro; the legal status of Islam within the United Kingdom, Anthony Bradney; concluding remarks, Giorgio Conetti.